A FOCUS on building up female grassroots in the Riverina continued on Monday when a clinic aimed at young girls was held at Equex Centre.
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Basketball NSW's 'I Am a Girl, I Can Do Anything' program is designed for players under 16, and officials are keen to ensure more players remain involved through into the senior ranks.
Basketball Wagga's new under-18 competition is enjoying strong numbers, and there is optimism the return of the Blaze after a couple of year's absence from the Waratah League isn't too far off.
Basketball NSW's Riverina regional development officer, Isabel Forbes, said the clinics are designed for all skill levels, but in particular for newcomers keen to try the sport.
"This program is targeted at young girls, under 15 years old who potentially may not have have played basketball before," she said.
"It's about introducing it in a fun way where it's all game based with lots of music and fun, not so much the competitive side of it.
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"But the long term goal is to get increased participation across the board with girls in basketball."
Competition for talent across sports is high, with a noticeable drop off once other priorities take hold in high school.
"Here at Basketball Wagga they've got a pretty strong girls competition and we just want to grow it," she said.
"Across all sports it's very competitive with girls once they get to their teenage years, so getting them into the sport young and getting a really passionate love for the sport is what they're trying to achieve today.
"The age of 14 is when you see them drop off at times, we're encouraging them to pick it up and take it all the way through to the 18s and seniors.
"They've got a strong under-18 girls team this year and it won't be long before we see the Blaze back up and running, for sure.
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